15 June 2017 – The Ministry of Public Health and Population of Yemen has recorded a total of 29 562 suspected cholera cases and 172 associated deaths during the period 5 to 12 June 2017.
Since the outbreak started in October 2016, a cumulative total of 140 116 suspected cases of cholera and 989 associated deaths have been reported across the country. The overall case-fatality rate is 0.7%, however, it is higher (3.2%) among people aged over 60.
While cholera is endemic in Yemen, the country has experienced a surge in cholera cases since 27 April 2017. Cholera has affected around 268 districts in 20 governorates across the country. More than half (49.5%/ 69 306) of the suspected cholera cases have been reported from 4 governorates –Amanat Al Asimah, Al Hudaydah, Amran and Hajjah.
WHO and health partners are actively supporting the Ministry through a cholera task force to improve cholera response efforts at the national and local levels. This includes the establishment of 18 diarrhoea treatment facilities and 28 oral dehydration centres, training of health workers to manage cases, water purification in communities, deployment of rapid response team to manage cholera cases investigations and respond to the outbreak, enhancement of Yemen’s disease early warning surveillance systems, and provision of emergency medical supplies to treatment facilities.